Earlier this month, Helen Craddock joined 50 others who swapped their home comforts for a night on the streets of MK, to raise much-needed funds for YMCA Milton Keynes.
Helen explains why she chose to take part…
Quite often I find myself putting my change in a charity pot next to a shop till or sponsoring friends or family to take on some challenge or other, but it’s not very often I am particularly taken by a project and feel I am personally able to take part and show my support.
I spent many years working with young people in Milton Keynes, alongside other agencies and have seen homelessness and in particular ‘hidden homelessness’ increase over the years.
It is often hidden homelessness that leads a young person to enlist the help of the YMCA and whilst they have done a fabulous job of supporting young people over the years; like all community non-profit organisations; they can always benefit from additional funds and awareness raising to increase their ability to support young people.
The YMCA MK is working towards opening a brand-new building, which will offer better accommodation than presently available and in addition; a clear pathway of support services to help young people. I am proud that so many people came together to support this project through the ‘Sleep Easy’ campaign.
I cannot say that I have any idea how living the life of someone without a home truly feels but I can say that the experience has given me more insight into some of the difficulties faced by homeless people every day. Whilst I got to get up in the morning; after a night sleeping in a cardboard box outside Intu MK; and return home to a warm house and food and drink there are so many people on the streets everyday who do not have that option and experience severe challenges every day.
We watched a film that evening based on true stories of homeless people in the UK which reiterated some of the reasons people find themselves in a homeless situation and they are not always as you may first think.
I wish the YMCA the best of luck with their efforts to manage and eradicate homelessness for young people in Milton Keynes and look forward to following and supporting their progress.
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